John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 32:43

"Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: For he will avenge the blood of his servants, And will render vengeance to his adversaries, And will make expiation for his land, for his people." — Deuteronomy 32:43 (ASV)

Rejoice, O you nations, with his people. The appositive reading, which some prefer, “Praise him, O nations, His people,” supplying the word “God,” is constrained.

For there is no incongruity in the notion that the Gentiles should celebrate the benefits which God has conferred upon His people; at any rate, it is more simple to take it this way, that so conspicuous was the favor of God towards the Israelites, that the knowledge and favor of it should spread far and wide, and be renowned even among the Gentiles.

For Scripture thus magnifies some of the more memorable exertions of God’s power, especially when reference is made to the redemption of the elect people, and commands His praise to be proclaimed among the nations, since it would be by no means fitting that it should be confined within the narrow limits of Judea.

A question, however, occurs, because Paul seems to quote this passage differently; for he says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people, (Romans 15:10) and undoubtedly the word נקם, nakam, which Moses uses, also signifies to rejoice.²⁹⁹ If we admit that Paul took this sentence from Moses, the same Spirit, who spoke both by Moses and Paul, is the best interpreter of His own words; nor will it be inconsistent that the Gentiles should rejoice at the felicity of God’s people. But it may have been the case that Paul did not take this testimony from any particular place, but from the general teaching of Scripture.

At any rate, the dignity of the people is celebrated because God esteems their blood precious, and will deem their persecutors His own adversaries.

The word כפר, capbar, at the end of the verse, some render to expiate, others, to be propitious, which is the rendering I have preferred, although I do not reject the former meaning. The verb כפר, caphar, signifies that an expiation is made with sacrifice to appease God; and it is probable that Moses alludes to the legal mode of reconciliation; nevertheless, in my judgment, he means that God will restore His land and His people to His favor.

²⁹⁹ It would scarcely be conceded now that נקם ever means to rejoice. — ever means to rejoice. — W